“Sorry, London, but no can do. We were given specific instructions not to contact him.”
“And since when do you do what you’re told?” I give him a knowing look.
His smile returns as he studies me for a long moment.
“All right, fine. But if anyone asks, you broke into the control room and hijacked the radio yourself.”
“Deal.”
He looks around, double-checking that no one is watching.
“Come with me.”
Trying to make myself as small and unnoticeable as possible, I follow Travis across the deck, up a flight of stairs, and onto the bridge, ducking inside the small space.
“So, are you going to tell me what happened?” he asks, turning on the radio before entering a series of numbers.
“What do you mean?”
“You haven’t been here in over a week.”
“Oh, that.” I laugh, but it feels forced and strained.
“Yeah, that.” He turns, putting his back to the radio as he faces me.
“It’s complicated.”
“Complicated how?”
“Complicated in a way I’m not sure I could explain even if I tried.”
“Try.”
“Let’s just say, Penn and I, well, we had a disagreement, which led to me resigning.”
“So you don’t actually work here anymore?”
I shake my head.
“Do you realize how much trouble you could get me in by being here?” He crosses his arms in front of his chest.
“I’m sorry. I really need to speak with Penn, and this is the only way.”
“I’m just messing with you.” He grins. “Penn isn’t going to fire me. If he was going to do that, he would have done it the day I kissed you.”
My face warms at the memory. More because I’m embarrassed by it than anything else.
“You’re probably right,” I agree, voice tight.
“If you need me to help you out again... just say the word.” He runs his tongue along his teeth in that easy, flirty way of his.
“Considering I owned up to why you kissed me, I’m not sure it would be as effective.” I feel the need to tell him.
“You ratted me out?”
“Guilty.” I grimace in apology.
“You’re lucky I like you.” He extends the radio mic toward me. “For the record, you could have just used the radio in Penn’s office.”
